I was the Least Conspicuous Customer at the Bar
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On my second mystery shop ever (also a bar audit), I was seated next to another mystery shopper. My friend and I were just wrapping up when they entered. I got a vibe instantly that maybe they were shoppers, but thought I was paranoid! Then they began to order per the same script and pay with cash. Then I saw one of them start speaking discreetly into a recorder when the bartender turned away.
I was a little stunned to spot them so early in my mystery shopping days. And, of course, now I assume everyone is a mystery shopper everywhere!
I was a little stunned to spot them so early in my mystery shopping days. And, of course, now I assume everyone is a mystery shopper everywhere!
That happened to me as well a few weeks ago. It's quite amusing.
Anytime I see a little old lady sit down at the bar, I am thrilled. It takes the focus off of me immediately
If you think your strange your not just ask the bartender who has seen the strangest and weirdest things ever if he has any time in the business.
Shopping Western NY, Northeast and Central PA, and parts of Ohio and West Virginia. Have car will travel anywhere if the monies right.
I would have stayed.... just out of "pure curiosity" to see what the shopper was going to do next .....after speaking into their recorder.@anneshop wrote:
On my second mystery shop ever (also a bar audit), I was seated next to another mystery shopper. My friend and I were just wrapping up when they entered. I got a vibe instantly that maybe they were shoppers, but thought I was paranoid! Then they began to order per the same script and pay with cash. Then I saw one of them start speaking discreetly into a recorder when the bartender turned away.
I was a little stunned to spot them so early in my mystery shopping days. And, of course, now I assume everyone is a mystery shopper everywhere!
I outed one once; well, sort of. We had apparently both been scheduled for the exact same casual restaurant. She was obvious, at least to me. When I walked by her, I smiled and said in a questioning tone, "[first name of shopping company]?" Her face was priceless confirmation. Hopefully she was more careful in the future.
@MrEToomey wrote:
I outed one once; well, sort of. We had apparently both been scheduled for the exact same casual restaurant. She was obvious, at least to me. When I walked by her, I smiled and said in a questioning tone, "[first name of shopping company]?" Her face was priceless confirmation. Hopefully she was more careful in the future.
I hope that you were/are on pretty good terms with that shop's scheduler. While I can understand the temptation to very gently tease her/remind her and am sure you were discreet enough not to out yourself to staff, that probably wasn't the best move. It's against the ICAs to compromise the shops, and certain people *twiddles thumbs* will report it to their schedulers when there is a situation like that.
I was doing a bar evaluation and overheard another couple discussing ordering and recognized them as fellow shoppers. They had the wrong date and were not supposed to be there then. I have a feeling they quit after that experience.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/10/2015 12:14AM by victoria1949.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/10/2015 12:14AM by victoria1949.
I was doing a shop at a grocery store when another customer caught my attention. She kept flitting around and doing things like picking up 5 types of bread, look at the expiration date and then put the bread back, picking up fruit, look at it and then put it back, etc which screamed mystery shopper to me. She also had nothing actually in her cart. It made me think really hard about how to not draw attention to the types of things we need to do during a shop. Looking at expiration dates is hard since you have to get so close to the merchandise. I am working on my technique to blend in and have developed some great skills.
Not only do I check expiration dates on dairy, I will sometimes check several of the same products to see if one is miss marked. Don't think any of my grocery shops ever had me check expiration dates on bread! And, I handle my produce!
@imsuzie2 wrote:
Not only do I check expiration dates on dairy, I will sometimes check several of the same products to see if one is miss marked. Don't think any of my grocery shops ever had me check expiration dates on bread! And, I handle my produce!
Since I started mystery shopping, I find that I cannot turn it off. Even when I'm picking up groceries for dinner, I catch myself checking name tags or looking for empty space. I suppose it makes me better with practice, but what's funny is how it became ingrained so quickly.
As a reg person I check expiration dates on milk, eggs, yogurt, bread. Y buy something that expires in a day or two when there are some that will last weeks?
I am really careful now checking dates on everything I purchase. An expired can of pineapple blew up in my pantry making a huge mess. It took me days to get sticky stuff off the walls, shelves and tile floor. Taught me a lesson I'll never forget!!
Some days you just have to create your own sunshine.
@mamx44 wrote:
I am really careful now checking dates on everything I purchase. An expired can of pineapple blew up in my pantry making a huge mess. It took me days to get sticky stuff off the walls, shelves and tile floor. Taught me a lesson I'll never forget!!
I think I've learned my lesson after reading that story!
The Marsh shop has you check expiration dates on meat, packaged deli, dairy, baby items, bakery, and say whether the produce is fresh or not. Also, check to be sure that sale items are in stock. That along with an interaction to ask where an item is to an associate and a counter department. Then the cashier interaction and you done...easy!!!
Shopping across Indiana but mostly around Indianapolis.
Interesting anecdotes. I mainly do banks, so there's not much opportunity to check out what other customers are doing while I'm there. However, given the variety of shops I've done, I've never suspected a fellow shopper / customer was a mystery shopper while I was doing a shop. I've never suspected it in the course of regular, everyday, non-MS activity, either.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/28/2015 01:50PM by retrodaddy.
I don't think there are any Russians / And there ain't no Yanks
Just corporate criminals\ / Playin' with tanks
Just corporate criminals\ / Playin' with tanks
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/28/2015 01:50PM by retrodaddy.
I was doing a grocery store price audit and a shopper caught me with my list. I saw her many times after that, but the store employees never caught us.
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